[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer some 
reflections on this past Memorial Day. Every year, we as a Nation take 
time at the end of May to remember those men and women who have given 
the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--to protect and defend our great 
country.
  For many, Memorial Day Weekend has become the traditional start of 
the summer season. Parades and celebrations are held across the 
country, and many families take their first trip of summer to the 
beach, or hold a big backyard barbeque, or go swimming at the newly 
reopened community pool. In Indianapolis, we spend the holiday weekend 
hosting this country's greatest auto race--the Indy 500--where we revel 
in the thrill of speed and marvel at the latest advancements in 
automotive design and engine development. The Indy Car fans and the 
Indy Car family of racers have shown themselves to be among the most 
patriotic of Americans, and I'm proud to celebrate Memorial Day weekend 
with such a tremendous group of people year after year. Yet, I fear 
that in the rush to enjoy the fruits of summer, we all too often forget 
that we are only able to hold these celebrations, and enjoy the freedom 
to travel where we want when we want, because of generations of men and 
women who put their lives on the line to protect and preserve our 
freedoms.
  As our young men and women risk their lives in a global War on 
Terror, and continue to fight for peace and stability for those who 
spent years living under tyranny and oppression in Afghanistan and 
Iraq, I would hope that each of us will pause to remember the true 
meaning of Memorial Day, then give thanks, and perhaps pray, for those 
who have willingly put themselves in harm's way to keep us free. Each 
one--from the most decorated General and Admiral to the lowest ranking 
enlisted man or woman--from the fighter pilots and gunners to the 
mechanics, quartermasters, and the cooks--each and every one is a hero.

                          ____________________